The bowling alley closed because of COVID-19 in March 2020, then shut down permanently in September.
Linda Emery and Nick DeVito II of Ian Black Real Estate represented the church in the transaction. Max Krzyminski of JLL Capital Markets represented the seller, iStar Bowling Centers 1 LP.
CoastLife Church currently worships from a 14,336-square-foot building that sits on its three-acre campus at 2235 Seaboard Ave., V
enice, in unincorporated Sarasota County.
The church has struggled for years to accommodate the number of people who attend its three service times at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon on Sundays.
The new location will nearly triple the congregation’s footprint. The 42,792-square-foot former bowling alley sits on a 5-acre lot with ample parking for the growing congregation.
“Parking requirements are often a concern for churches, and many existing properties lack the appropriate ratio for a large congregation,” Emery, a broker associate with Ian Black, said in a statement. “This property is unique in that it meets the required parking ratio and also gives them ample space and improved visibility to accommodate future growth.”
Lead Pastor Jason Warman said plans for the property involve a complete interior renovation, including an 850- to 1,000-seat auditorium and state-of-the-art youth facility, as well as constructing a more modern-looking façade.
The church will also install a new roof and new HVAC system.
“This property checked a lot of boxes for us,” Warman said in the same statement. “One of those being the strategic location in the heart of Venice.
“With so much development happening to both the north and south, we are humbled and honored to be included in the growth of our city,” Warman said. “We are excited to put Jesus at the heart of Venice and look forward to serving our community in this new location.”
Warman expects to welcome congregants to the new space by summer 2022.
The church’s current location is listed for sale for $2.3 million. Emery and DeVito of Ian Black Real Estate are the listing agents.